Description
RING gold, set with a cabochon intaglio on ruby depicting an erotic scene. On the reverse, constellation of Cancer. The scene is composed of a couple on the right and an altar on which rests a phallic herm on the left. In the center, a thyrse decorated with a knot. The couple, formed by a satyr (presence of the tail), in preliminary with a naked maenad, standing, hands on her head. The male figure with abundant hair and prominent muscles is seated, his knees clasping the legs of the maenad, his arms holding her buttocks. The female figure with voluptuous curves. The herm presents a three-quarter body and a head in profile turned towards the couple. The altar is also engraved in three-quarter view. The deeply engraved scene with notions of three-dimensionality reveals the masterly execution of the intaglio (given the hardness of the ruby and its convex surface). Base line. Presence of globular elements. Signs of wear. The presence on the reverse of the constellation Cancer does not echo the erotic scene, it must be a symbolic reference to the astrological sign of the owner of the stone. The iconography is inspired by classical models of the Greco-Roman period. (Heat treatment of the stone afterwards). TDD 58 (US 8); 8,20 grs; intaglio 12 x 15 x 7 mm Mounting from the end of the XIXth century Intaglio : Renaissance, 16th-17th century Provenance Former English private collection French private collection from the beginning of the 20th century A late 19th century gold ring set with a Renaissance ruby cabochon intaglio depicting an erotic scene. On the back, constellation of the Cancer engraved. 16th century A.D. The scene consists of a couple on the right and an altar on which rests a phallic herm on the left. In the center, a thyrsus decorated with a knot. The couple, formed by a satyr (presence of the tail), in oral foreplay with a naked maenad, standing, hands resting on his head. The male figure with abundant hair and prominent muscles is seated, his knees enclosing the legs of the maenad, his arms holding his buttocks. The feminine figure with voluptuous curves. The herme presents a body in three-quarters and a head in profile turned towards the couple. The altar is also carved in three-quarters. The deep engraved scene with notions of three-dimensionality reveal the masterful execution of the intaglio, given the hardness of the ruby and its convex surface. Groundline. Presence of globular elements. Signs of wear. The presence on the reverse of the constellation of Cancer not echoing the erotic scene, it must be a symbolic reference to the astrological sign of the owner of the stone. The iconography is inspired by classic models from the Greco-Roman period. (Heat treatment of the stone a posteriori).
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RING gold, set with a cabochon intaglio on ruby depicting an erotic scene. On the reverse, constellation of Cancer. The scene is composed of a couple on the right and an altar on which rests a phallic herm on the left. In the center, a thyrse decorated with a knot. The couple, formed by a satyr (presence of the tail), in preliminary with a naked maenad, standing, hands on her head. The male figure with abundant hair and prominent muscles is seated, his knees clasping the legs of the maenad, his arms holding her buttocks. The female figure with voluptuous curves. The herm presents a three-quarter body and a head in profile turned towards the couple. The altar is also engraved in three-quarter view. The deeply engraved scene with notions of three-dimensionality reveals the masterly execution of the intaglio (given the hardness of the ruby and its convex surface). Base line. Presence of globular elements. Signs of wear. The presence on the reverse of the constellation Cancer does not echo the erotic scene, it must be a symbolic reference to the astrological sign of the owner of the stone. The iconography is inspired by classical models of the Greco-Roman period. (Heat treatment of the stone afterwards). TDD 58 (US 8); 8,20 grs; intaglio 12 x 15 x 7 mm Mounting from the end of the XIXth century Intaglio : Renaissance, 16th-17th century Provenance Former English private collection French private collection from the beginning of the 20th century A late 19th century gold ring set with a Renaissance ruby cabochon intaglio depicting an erotic scene. On the back, constellation of the Cancer engraved. 16th century A.D. The scene consists of a couple on the right and an altar on which rests a phallic herm on the left. In the center, a thyrsus decorated with a knot. The couple, formed by a satyr (presence of the tail), in oral foreplay with a naked maenad, standing, hands resting on his head. The male figure with abundant hair and prominent muscles is seated, his knees enclosing the legs of the maenad, his arms holding his buttocks. The feminine figure with voluptuous curves. The herme presents a body in three-quarters and a head in profile turned towards the couple. The altar is also carved in three-quarters. The deep engraved scene with notions of three-dimensionality reveal the masterful execution of the intaglio, given the hardness of the ruby and its convex surface. Groundline. Presence of globular elements. Signs of wear. The presence on the reverse of the constellation of Cancer not echoing the erotic scene, it must be a symbolic reference to the astrological sign of the owner of the stone. The iconography is inspired by classic models from the Greco-Roman period. (Heat treatment of the stone a posteriori).
